On January 21, 2010, the U.S. Supreme court took another step in the long - and many say misguided - journey to granting corporations personhood under the U.S. Constitution. In Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, a five-member majority of the court increased the ability of corporations to use their wealth to influence our electoral process. Recent polling shows that more than 75 percent of Americans think the ruling further weakens our democratic institutions and the power of people to govern themselves.

2010 marked the 25th anniversary of two historic strikes that captured the imagination of workers across the U.S.--the victorious 18-month walkout by 1,000 frozen food workers at Watsonville Canning, and the courageous but ultimately doomed struggle of UFCW Local P-9 at the Hormel meatpacking plant in Austin, Minnesota. Peter Shapiro and Al Bradbury interview five people who partyicipated--strikers, supporters, union officers. Their reminiscences bring these dramatic struggles to life and hold lessons for us today.  

What's next in the Aaron Campbell case? Also, an interview with Oregon Attorney General John Kroger

• Only 76 of Oregon's 38,553 farms are operated by African-Americans, according to the most recent Census of Agriculture. Why is that? Miriam interviews PSU black studies professor Darryl Millner for some answers. He talks about Oregon's exclusion laws, which barred blacks (including farmers) from settling in the state until well into the 20th century.

• Finally, we chat with John Boyd Jr., president of the National Black Farmers Association, about a decades-old, still unsettled discrimination suit against the USDA. The USDA, which could settle the billion-dollar suit soon, is also being sued by Hispanic and female farmers for discriminatory practices. 
• And don't forget to listen to our very varied call in comments from listners across the political spectrum. Keep the conversation going!

Will Aaron Campbell's death finally bring police accountability to Portland?